Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as her initial compensable disability ratings for cervical dysplasia and eczematous dermatitis.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination and lack of a rationale for the examiner's opinion. The Veteran’s back disability is being reviewed again with new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to adequately attend to his daily living needs without regular aid and attendance, thus granting special monthly compensation based on this need.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and consideration of his claims, including the service connection for various disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The initial rating for DJD, DDD, and mild scoliosis of the thoracic and lumbar spine was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were also denied. Service connection for a cervical spine disorder, cardiovascular disorder (specifically congenital bicuspid aortic valve with insufficiency heart murmur), hypertension, IBS, umbilical hernia, and prostatitis was granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability or a link to service. The Board found that the Veteran did not have right ear hearing loss, hypertension, vision condition (due to refractive error), psychiatric condition, cervical spine condition, left shoulder condition, or right shoulder condition during his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a neck disability, an acquired psychiatric disability (anxiety, adjustment disorder, depression, and PTSD), GERD, and sleep apnea due to inextricably intertwined issues. The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric condition could significantly impact decisions on his secondary service connection claims for GERD and sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck and back disabilities, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for a cervical spine disability was not reopened, but his right knee limitation of extension is now granted. The remaining issues related to the Veteran's patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee, right shoulder surgical repair residuals with tendinitis, DDD of the lumbar spine, and right upper extremity scar are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for colon cancer, earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and an earlier effective date for a 40% rating for bilateral hearing loss have been withdrawn.,The claim for reopening of a previously denied claim of service connection for asthma has been granted. The claim for reopening of a previously denied claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder has also been granted.,Service connection for hypertension has been granted.

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for various lower back-related disabilities as secondary to other conditions, including neck, shoulder, knee, ankle, and foot disabilities.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine is found to be attributable to an injury sustained during service, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient information in the VA examinations and the need for additional medical records.

The VA denied compensation for the Veteran's cervical spine surgery due to informed consent being present or a reasonable person would have consented, and no negligence on the part of VA. The continued pain and burning nerve pain were known potential complications.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities on an extraschedular basis for the period prior to July 22, 2014.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions were not related to his active duty service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected disabilities, including hypertension and unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder. The decision grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for low back disability is reopened, and he is granted a 50% rating for migraine headaches effective January 2, 2013. The effective dates for service connection for migraine headaches and DJD of the cervical spine are set to October 27, 2004.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating of tinnitus has been denied as the maximum schedular rating is already assigned.,Service connection for a low back disability and PTSD have both been denied due to lack of evidence supporting their onset during service or being related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional medical opinions to determine if his current disabilities are due to VA treatment, and whether these disabilities were reasonably foreseeable. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.